CARVED IN STONE

Margaret River is short, critical, and unforgiving. Cross-off winds, shifting conditions, and a lineup that punishes hesitation. The SEVERNE Margaret River Wave Classic delivered on all fronts with team SEVERNE dominating podiums across both men’s and pro women’s divisions; every one of them on the Stone.

Back on top. Jaeger Stone reclaims Margaret River like only he can. After missing the 2025 final, Jaeger approached every heat like an elimination round. Controlled aerials, trademark carves, and flawless wave selection carried him to a final heat score of 15.84 points; near-excellent in conditions that had other competitors scrambling.

“Things gelled a little better for me this year and the conditions were great and it was a lot of fun,” says Jaeger. “I sailed each heat as hard as I could, which is what I always try and do.”

Typical of Margaret River, the wind was up and down all week. Competition is different to free sailing; size choice must be efficient. Jaeger knew that. “It’s a wave where anything can happen and it can be so challenging to ride well, even without the constraints of competition. I’ve put in a lot of time sailing here,” he says. “To win against other top windsurfers and guys on the professional World Tour, it is a nice moment for me.”

On the Stone, Jaeger is direct: “I think it’s a functional board for people dedicated to wave riding. Margaret River is generally a short, critical wave and the Stone allows you to commit to turns with confidence. The pin tail assists with burying the tail and managing speed through turns, especially when it’s cross off like Margaret River often is.”

Next on the radar? More sessions along the WA coastline, time pushing with Julian Salmonn before he heads home, and Chile is a possibility later in the year.

Sarah Kenyon is 17 years old, freshly crowned Junior World Champion, and now a Pro Women’s event winner. Her first. And she did it by just 0.06 points over Jane Seman.

Growing up in Geraldton and spending serious time in the Margaret River lineup, Sarah’s surfing background gave her the wave knowledge that made the difference. Where others struggled to find scoring opportunities, Sarah picked off longer, cleaner waves and strung together multiple tight snaps plus a small aerial to edge ahead.

“I was really excited to win here, because it’s a dream that I didn’t think I’d get to for so long,” says Sarah. “To do it this early was pretty special to me. I didn’t think I could do it, but once you put your mind to it, you can do anything.”

“I’ve spent heaps and heaps of time in Margaret River and the wave is really hard to know when to hit the lip. The time spent there really helped me to read the wave,” she says. “Margaret River is a break I love to sail, I just don’t get as nervous. I’m excited to watch the other girls and guys ripping, so I just get excited to push myself. And the waves looked so sick, it just makes you want to go out there.”

This win at the opening event of the season puts Sarah at the top of the 2026 rankings. Fiji is next on her wish list to keep those points ticking over.

Jane Seman knows what she’s watching develop: “I really love sailing with Sarah as she always wants to get better and just goes for it. This is just the start for her, and I really feel she will become one of the greatest ever female wave riders.”

Sarah Kenyon; first Pro Women’s win at just 17. Photo: Scotty Bauer / World Wave Tour

If there’s a single takeaway from this event, it’s this; the next generation has arrived.

Jake Ghiretti scored an 8.73; the highest single-wave score of the entire competition. A triple aerial wave secured it, and in the process, the Margaret River local helped knock five-time World Champion Philip Köster out of finals contention. Second overall in the men’s division.

Simon Thule from Denmark finished third overall. Sarah Kenyon won her first pro title at 17. These are not fluke results. These riders have put in the time, read the waves, and backed themselves in heavy conditions.

Jane Seman’s event mission is specifically to create opportunities for young talent to watch, learn, and compete alongside the world’s best. It’s working.

Philip Köster suffered multiple wipeouts and a gear change as the young guns closed in. The crowd watched the upset unfold. But that’s the nature of this wave. It’s short, critical, and unpredictable. On any given day, it can humble anyone.

Jane Seman charged hard all event; attacking heavy lips and putting everything on the line. Second place by 0.06 points. What makes Jane’s result even more impressive is that she was juggling competition duties with event organisation. The SEVERNE Margaret River Wave Classic exists in large part because of her commitment to growing the sport at a grassroots level.

“My motivation for running this event is to help the youth, so they can watch and learn from the top pros at home,” says Jane. “People like Jake and Sarah just improve so fast and have such a good read on waves.”

Jake Ghiretti; 8.73 points, the highest single-wave score of the event. Photo: Scotty Bauer / World Wave Tour

Every podium finisher at the SEVERNE Margaret River Wave Classic rode the Stone. Jaeger’s custom. Sarah’s 60. Jake’s 68. Different riders, different sizes, same board under their feet when it mattered. Designed for waves that punish hesitation. The pin tail buries through turns and manages speed in cross-off conditions; exactly what Margaret River demands. When the wave is short and critical, the Stone lets you commit.

Men’s Final:
1. Jaeger Stone (AUS) – 15.84 pts
2. Jake Ghiretti (AUS)
3. Simon Thule (DEN)
4. Julian Salmonn (GER)

Pro Women’s Final:
1. Sarah Kenyon (AUS)
2. Jane Seman (AUS)
3. Karin Jaggi (SUI)
4. Maria Andrés (ESP)

Quiver

Jaeger Stone sailed the S-1 Pro 4.4, his custom Stone, and the RDM Blue mast throughout the event.
Sarah Kenyon rode the Redback and Stone 60.
Jake Ghiretti rode the S-1 4.4 and Stone 68.
Jane Seman rode the S-1 and Stone.

Photos: Scotty Bauer / World Wave Tour

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